American Idol is gearing up for its biggest refresh in years as the long-running competition returns for Season 24. Premiering next week on ABC, the new season arrives with fresh energy, bold format changes, and a noticeable shift in location—all designed to build on the record-breaking success of last season.
Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick says the goal was simple but ambitious: keep the momentum going while finding new ways to excite both contestants and viewers. “There’s always pressure to level up,” she told Deadline. “We want to use the energy of last season to bring in new people and fire them up.”
When Does Season 24 Premiere?
Season 24 of American Idol premieres Monday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Episodes will air live every Monday and be available to stream on Hulu the following day.
Who Are the Judges?
Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan return to the judges’ table alongside Carrie Underwood, who steps into her second season as a judge after replacing Katy Perry in 2025. Underwood’s presence marks a milestone for the franchise—she’s the first former Idol winner to serve as a full-time judge.
Michaels Wolflick noted that bringing Underwood on was a deliberate shift. Rather than replicating Katy Perry’s energy, the show chose a different dynamic, grounding the panel in lived Idol experience and musical credibility.
Is Ryan Seacrest Still Hosting?
Yes. Ryan Seacrest continues his role as host, a position he’s held since the show’s debut in 2002.
What’s Changing This Season?
Season 24 introduces a major first: social voting. For the first time, viewers will be able to vote for contestants live via social media, alongside traditional text and phone voting. The move aims to better engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences by meeting them where they already are—on their phones.
“We have to meet the audience where they are,” Michaels Wolflick explained. “Back in 2002, texting was revolutionary. Now, it’s about second screens and real-time interaction.”
A New Home Base: Nashville
In a significant departure from tradition, auditions were held exclusively at Belmont University in Nashville. The change also impacts the show’s iconic Hollywood Week, which has been rebranded as Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover and relocated to Nashville.
Carrie Underwood, who lives nearby, acknowledged the demanding schedule but praised the city’s deep talent pool and musical culture.
Introducing the Ohana Round
Another historic change replaces Hollywood Week altogether later in the competition. Instead of heading to Los Angeles, contestants advance to the Ohana Round, a three-episode event filmed at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Kapolei, Hawaii.
This round introduces a new layer of evaluation. Rather than judges alone selecting the top contestants, a panel of “industry tastemakers”—including Rolling Stone co-editor-in-chief Shirley Halperin and cultural commentator Evan Ross Katz—will help guide decisions before America’s vote begins.
What Else Should Fans Know?
Ahead of the premiere, American Idol released an emotional preview featuring 19-year-old contestant Jesse Findling, offering an early glimpse of the season’s heart and storytelling.
With new voting methods, a Nashville takeover, and a Hawaiian twist, Season 24 signals a bold evolution for American Idol—one that blends tradition with innovation while keeping the spotlight firmly on the artists.